To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Set a Public Hearing to Establish the Arnold Drive Underground Utility District No. 1, the Geyserville Avenue Underground Utility District No. 1, the Main Street Underground Utility District No. 1, the Mirabel Avenue Underground Utility District No. 1, the Old Redwood Highway Underground Utility District No. 1, and the Petaluma Hill Road Underground Utility District No. 1.
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt six resolutions declaring intent to establish the following underground utility districts pursuant to Sonoma County Code Chapter 25A and setting public hearings for the following dates and times:
i.) Arnold Drive Underground Utility District No. 1, setting a public hearing for December 8, 2026, at 10:00 or as soon thereafter as feasible.
ii.) Geyserville Avenue Underground Utility District No. 1, setting a public hearing for December 8, 2026, at 10:05 or as soon thereafter as feasible.
iii.) Main Street Underground Utility District No. 1, setting a public hearing for December 8, 2026, at 10:10, or as soon thereafter as feasible.
iv.) Mirabel Road Underground Utility District No. 1, setting a public hearing for December 8, 2026, at 10:15 or as soon thereafter as feasible.
v.) Old Redwood Highway Underground Utility District No. 1, setting a public hearing for December 8, 2026, at 10:20 or as soon thereafter as feasible.
vi.) Petaluma Hill Road Underground Utility District No. 1, setting a public hearing for December 8, 2026, at 10:25 or as soon thereafter as feasible.
B) Direct Sonoma County Public Infrastructure to send notification of the public hearings by mail to all affected property owners and affected utilities in accordance with Sonoma County Code Section 25A-2.
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Executive Summary:
Establishing an underground utility district allows for the undergrounding of existing overhead utilities. The County, by ordinance, has adopted a process for establishing underground utility districts, which is codified in Sonoma County Code Chapter 25A, and is consistent with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requirements for undergrounding.
Sonoma County Public Infrastructure recommends the Board adopt resolutions of intention to establish six underground utility districts, consistent with prior Board direction, and set public hearings for each proposed district for any affected property owner, utility, or member of the public to be heard on the matter.
The proposed boundaries of each of the districts are shown on the attached proposed district boundary maps, which also include a list of all the affected parcels.
Discussion:
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) manages a program (Rule 20A) which qualifying jurisdictions are allowed to underground services in their area as well as fund credit allocations for the undergrounding construction directly through their program. The California Public Utilities Commission discontinued new Rule 20A credit allocations after December 31, 2022, and existing credits that are not applied to qualifying projects by December 31, 2033, will expire. Moving through the process of the Rule 20A program once a district is created is extremely lengthy.
Underground utility districts serve the public necessity, health, safety, and general welfare by requiring removal and underground installation of certain above ground and overhead poles, wires, and associated structures in designated areas. The underground utility district boundary designation process, consistent with California Public Utilities Commission requirements, is set forth in Sonoma County Code Chapter 25A. Establishing an underground utility district requires a public hearing. Notice of the public hearing must be mailed to each parcel within the boundaries of the proposed district and utilities concerned at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing.
The primary purpose of the proposed underground utility districts is to establish an area along the designated roadways where existing overhead electric and associated utility facilities may be converted to underground facilities.
If the proposed underground utility districts are established, undergrounding of utilities in the designated areas would qualify for Rule 20A credits through Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).
Rule 20A projects are fully ratepayer-funded through program credits, but must meet strict criteria and demonstrate that they are in the public interest by meeting one or more of the following criteria:
1. Such undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead electric facilities;
2. The street or road or right-of-way is extensively used by the general public and carries a heavy volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
3. Wheelchair access is limited or impeded in a manner that is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
4. The street or road or right-of-way adjoins or passes through a civic area or public recreation area or an area of significant scenic, cultural, and/or historic interest to the general public; or
5. The street or road or right-of-way is considered an arterial street or major collector as defined by the California Department of Transportation’s California Road System functional classification system.
In addition, Rule 20A requires that the undergrounding extends for a minimum distance of one block or 600 feet, whichever is the lesser. Wheelchair access must also be considered as a basis for defining the boundaries of projects that otherwise qualify for Rule 20A. Established in 1967, CPUC provides oversight for the Rule 20A program administered by PG&E. The County currently has an allocation of approximately 22 million Rule 20A undergrounding program credits. One credit is equivalent to one dollar.
With Rule 20A projects, PG&E will cover the installation of up to 100 feet of each customer’s underground electric service lateral occasioned by the undergrounding, as well as the conversion of electric service panels to accept underground service, up to $1,500 per service entrance, excluding permit fees.
The proposed undergrounding projects meet the requirements above and qualify as Rule 20A projects. Staff has conferred with PG&E and other affected utilities on formation of the proposed districts and the affected utilities have agreed to the proposed boundaries. Upon adoption of the resolutions of intention, Sonoma County Public Infrastructure staff will mail notices of the public hearings to all affected property owners and utilities at least ten days prior to the scheduled hearings in accordance with Chapter 25A.
Establishing an underground utility district itself is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378. Future undergrounding projects that may take place within the proposed district will be exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15302(d) (Class 2), which consists of conversion of overhead electric utility distribution system facilities to underground including connection to existing overhead electric utility distribution lines where the surface is restored to the condition existing prior to the undergrounding, and CEQA Guidelines section 15301(b) (Class 1) which consists of repair, maintenance and minor alteration of existing facilities.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
April 18, 2023: Approval of a List of Rule 20A Credit Utility Undergrounding Projects.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no significant fiscal impact associated with adoption of this resolution. Administrative costs associated with establishment of the underground utility district, including required notification of affected property owners and utilities, will be absorbed within existing Sonoma County Public Infrastructure appropriations. Costs associated with the proposed utility undergrounding project will be funded through available Rule 20A funding. No additional County funding is requested as part of this action.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Resolution of Intention- Arnold Drive
Resolution of Intention- Geyserville Ave
Resolution of Intention- Main Street
Resolution of Intention- Mirabel Road
Resolution of Intention- Old Redwood Highway
Resolution of Intention- Petaluma Hill Road
Maps of Proposed Boundaries & List of Parcels
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.